BRITISH CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22976, 2 March 1938, Page 13

BRITISH CRISIS

foreign__affairs the new minister SEAT IN THE LORDS OPPOSITION AROUSED debate in commons »v Telegraph—Press Association— Copyrischt ™ LONDON. Feb. '.'B The Leader of the Labour Opposition, Mr. C. R- Attlce, in the House of Commons to-day, opened a debate on the Government's choice of Viscount' Halifax as Foreign Secretary. After paying a tribute to Lord Halifax's qualifications, Mr. Attlee B aid the fact that democracy was assailed 1 made it most important that the Hopse of Commons should ieep a close watch on the control of foreign policy, and to that end have a Foreign Secretary in the House responsive to public opinion.

The fact of the Prime Minister answering questions on foreign affairs would lead to a danger of duality in foreign policy, signs of which were already apparent. Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal — Caithness) said that while Lord Halifax personally commanded the confidence of the House, theve was no confidence in the policy he would have to carry out. He said that Lord Halifax was the best choice available. Coitly Experiment Criticised "I remain a keen opponent of Mr. Chamberlain's policy," added Sir Archibald, "bub I pay tribute to his personal courage in making this decision. Let out controversies be on the main issue of the Prime Minister's policy." Mr. Winston Churchill said that if the House wished to keep control of foreign affairs, it would be better to hare fewer but longer and more care-t'ully-prepured debates. "Lord Halifax is a man of great integrity and courage, and the only one to cany through the experiment, which I consider is not promising," said Mr. Churchill. "Already it has cost those who launched it a considerable price, both in their political interests and in our interests in Europe." Prime Minister Delends Choice Mr. Chamberjain said that if other things were equal, it was desirable for the Foreign Secretary to be a member of the House of Commons, where bis policy could be challenged. "None of my colleagues is as well qualified for the Foreign Office portfolio as is Lord Halifax, and it would not be right to deprive the country of his services merely because he is a member of the House ot Lords," added the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain agreed that the fact that the Foreign Secretary was in the House of Lords presented a difficulty*; but he was prepared to mitigate it by personally answering major questions, and participating in debates on forc'gn affairs. He said he would endeavour not to shirk questions and he would be there to answer supplementary questions if the necessity arose. . Government's motion for an adjournment. was carried by 226 voters to 9D. SEAL OF OFFICE OEREMONY IN PALACE Lord Halifax's new post (Received March 1, 6.5 p.m.) British 'Wireless RUGBY, Feb. 28 At a Council held by the King iu ! Buckingham Palace to-day, Viscount a ax received his formal appointment as Foreign Secretary and received t,J e seal of office. There was also a ceremony in which iscount Hailsham, Lord Chancellor, i new great seal of the realm J 1 the King, using a hammer, "deas ed ' the old seal by striking it. tORD ARNOLD RESIGNS labour party's policy . . LONDON, Feb. 28 J w announced that Lord Arnold In res '^ from the Labour Party, diwt S^a ' <,mer| t he said lie profoundly r Labour's foreign policv. Lorrli , S ° nb ' V isi ex P ect€>(l follow t}j e p S exam Ple and resign from COLOGNE CARNIVAL ON MR. EDEN i , > LONDON, Feb. 28 a from Col °gne states that Eden ■»>° r^ a f inscribed "Garden of Vein . p ' ct '"K r - Anthony Eden den '? a '' rmV( l i' l a withered garc*rried' IL ring ' the words ' " They Strent» c °rpse from Downing the ? hief tableau in a P'aying <? T^ Slon Cologne. A band j he Funeral March" preceded